Wedding 2013

Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO

Think outside the boxCreate an unforgettable wedding

The Groom’sperspectiveon wedding planning

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Weddings2 Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 Sidney Herald

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Has he finally proposed? Then your top priority is to do a bit of bragging and tell everyone the good news! Once your initial excitement has calmed down a touch, though, you’ll have to take time to do some serious thinking.

There are so many details to plan, a budget to draw up, and deadlines to be met. It seems so overwhelming. If you are finding it hard to get some traction and launch your wedding planning, here are 10 tips to give you some direction and help you get moving.

1. Establish your budget per guest. In fact, this is the perfect time to draw up your guest list.

2. Order your invitations, being care-ful to include your names, the date, time, and place of the wedding and reception, as well as the date by which you need to receive replies. Being clear about this will help you save a lot of precious time and money. Be sure to include stamped, addressed envelopes if you can.

3. The reception hall is often one of the biggest expenses, so be sure to reserve one as quickly as possible. If you want to keep expenses down, think about holding the reception at a family home or in a garden.

4. Creating a good atmosphere is just

as important as choosing a caterer, al-though you don’t want to skimp on food either. To cut costs, consider serving fewer courses, with a focus on excellent quality instead of quantity.

5. Make up or order wedding favors for your guests. These are put with their place setting or offered at the end of the reception. Let your imagination run wild: you could offer small homemade soaps, candles, local produce in mini format, bath pearls, or small boxes of candies. It can also be fun to have a “retro” favor, such as a pack of matches with the bride and groom’s names em-bossed on the matchbook cover.

6. Give yourself enough time to find a wedding gown that really suits your per-sonality. It is also possible to rent a dress for the occasion, much as your beloved can buy or rent his tuxedo.

7. Book your hair, make-up, esthe-tician and manicure appointments several weeks before the wedding. If possible, plan a test run.

8. Put all your heart into writing down the vows that you would like to make during the marriage ceremony. If you plan to make a speech at the reception, be sure to get that down in writing as well.

9. Plan the reception down to the last detail: create the atmosphere you like

with suitable music, entertainment and a décor that matches your personality. (Don’t forget to decorate the toilets, a place everyone will see at some point!)

10. Organize your honeymoon so that you can celebrate your new life together.

Tips To keep in mind• Avoid giving important jobs to the

parents of the bride and groom – unless they really want to be involved that way. Instead, let them enjoy being with the guests.

• If you intend to create a gift list, be sure to put it on the Internet so that it will be easily accessible to everyone.

• If small children will be at the reception, plan to have a space available where they can play and a quiet room where they can sleep.

• Take photographs of your hair and makeup test runs so you can choose the perfect combination when you’re well rested. Prepare a make-up kit for any touch-up jobs on your big day.

• Leave a guest book at the entrance of the reception hall. It’s a great souvenir to keep, along with your photo album.

• Leave a disposable camera on every table so that guests can record magical moments during the reception.

The ABCs, 123s to planning wedding of your dreams

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WeddingsSIDNEY HERALD SuNDAY, fEb. 24, 2013 3

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Choosing right reception hallLooking for a reception hall for your

wedding celebration? Here are a few tips that can help:

Style, gueStSFirst, you need to consider the style

of your marriage and the number of guests. You also need to determine if the hall can allow for an attractive ar-rangement of tables so that everyone can see the head table. Then there are several questions you need to ask. Is there room for dancing? Is the hall eas-ily accessible? Is there ample parking and hotel rooms nearby in case people have too much to drink? Does it offer catering services? If not, does it have the necessary equipment such as heat-ing plates and a large refrigerator to allow an outside caterer to come in and properly serve a meal? Finally, can you afford the reception hall?

There are other questions you should ask before making your final decision. For example, are tablecloths, napkins, dishes, etc. included in the cost? Will the hall be decorated or will you have to hire someone to do it? Does it offer the services of a DJ or musicians? While some places only rent the room itself, others offer you a-to-z service.

CateringFinally, any successful wedding

ceremony must include delicious food. If catering services are not provided by the reception hall, get referrals for a few caterers and ask them to submit a quote according to the number of guests, the number of hours of service, the type of meal, as well as for the type of food and beverages you want to serve. Ask these caterers to also include a price for the necessary place settings, if needed. You should also take time to meet with these caterers to ensure that they are competent and pleasant to work with.

Table arrangements are the first things your guests will see when they enter the reception hall.

One day, your wedding photos and video will be the most concrete memo-ries you have of your wedding day. So you don’t want to entrust them to just anyone. Rely on experienced profession-als who will ensure you get the images you want.

While every bride and groom has their own unique wishes, there are certain classic images that you’ll surely want to have.

Key photoSSome scenes worth immortalizing

include the bride getting ready at home for the big day, the bride’s arrival at the church, the wedding procession walk-ing down the aisle, the bride and groom standing at the end of the aisle, exchang-ing the rings, the kiss, the decorations inside the church, the wedding proces-sion leaving the church taken from both the inside and outside, a group shot of the wedding party outside the church, leaving for the reception, the reception hall (decorations, head table, wedding cake, etc.), bride and groom’s entrance into the reception hall, the reception line, the wedding party seated at the head table, the raising of the glasses for toasts, the bride and groom drinking from each other’s glasses, the musi-

cians (if there are any), the first dance, the guests dancing, the throwing of the bouquet and the garter belt, and finally, upon leaving the party.

It’s best to take any photos that will be taken outside of the church or reception hall about a week before the wedding. This can double as an opportunity to make sure your dress fits properly one last time and do a final practice run of the wedding procession. It also means your guests won’t have to wait for you in the reception hall while you are off having those beautiful photos taken in the park. Plus, you’ll have more time to capture those perfect photos.

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Couples increasingly choose to think outside the box Even though traditional weddings

are still extremely popular, more and more couples are choosing to join their hands in marriage in original and sometimes even daring ways. Of course, stepping off the beaten path can be exciting, but the important thing is to remain true to yourself if you want to organize an unforgettable wedding.

ThemeChoosing a theme for your wedding

is a great way to create a ceremony that reflects your personal style and taste. Think about the passions you and your loved one have in common: an activity, a musical style, an era, a place, a sport. Anything could be the starting point for personalizing your wedding.

Decorations, invitations, flowers, music and all the other details should be oriented toward the chosen theme as much as possible. Naturally, the theme should also be taken into account when choosing your wedding gown and the groom’s outfit.

Be careful about colors: even if you love red or other strong colors, don’t

overdo it or the result could be over-bearing. Opt for different tones in the same color in order to create a harmoni-

ous atmosphere. Don’t forget to include your guests: offering them a small wed-ding favor that ties in with your theme will make it an unforgettable occasion for everyone. Success guaranteed!

A few ideAsOver the last few years the medieval

wedding has been very popular, but other themes might inspire you: a coun-try or rock wedding, environmentally friendly wedding, Zen wedding, 1950s wedding, bicycle wedding, “god and god-dess” wedding, season-themed wedding, or country wedding.

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By Natalie CoNliNSpEcIAL to tHE HERALD

Even though it was raining on her wedding day, Calla Kowatch was not going to let it get her down. In late May, the rain was not entirely unexpected, and they say it foretells good fortune if it occurs on that special day. Calla Kowatch and Aric Carlson were mar-ried on May 26, 2012, at the Richland County Fair Event Center at the fair-grounds in Sidney.

Aric and Calla had been dating for five years when he finally proposed while hiking together in Billings. Later, he said that he almost didn’t go through with it because he wanted everything to be perfect for that moment. Both of their families played a big role in plan-ning for and helping to make sure their wedding day went smoothly. Calla’s father, in cooperation with Powder Keg, ordered much of the food in bulk from Reynolds, prepared it and set it up with the help of her brother, Roman. The photographer and singers were friends of Aric’s mother, Sharon, and were glad to help out. One thing that made their day extra special was that Aric’s uncle Wayne was able to officiate the wedding.

Because they had so much help, and the pictures did not start until that evening, the day of their wedding was relaxing. Calla said with a smile, “I hung out with my sister, Laura, and she painted my toenails.” The couple wanted to keep with the tradition of not seeing each other before the bride walked down the aisle, so Calla stayed at the event center with her best friends while Aric was at home watching mov-ies with his groomsmen.

However, the rain presented an issue. “Indoor pictures were a challenge; we wanted to do outdoor ones, and the fairground has many pretty outdoor photo opportunities. Unfortunately, we couldn’t utilize them.” The pictures were taken before the ceremony, and there was shuffling around and “mes-sengers” to ensure that the couple did

not see each other. They made sure to get silly pictures of the wedding party blocking both of them before they caught a glimpse of one another.

One unique aspect of the ceremony was that both of their mothers, Marlena and Sharon, were the designated flower girls because they had two handsome twin ring bearers, but no one for the important role of spreading rose pet-als to honor the bride. They thought it would be a nice way to incorporate both mothers into the wedding. When asked how she felt walking down the aisle and seeing her groom for the first time, Calla said, “I was excited that we managed to pull it off. I had butterflies; we were excited and happy and relieved that it was finally happening.”

To symbolize their love, they chose to have a sand pouring ceremony. They added a personal touch. Each parent had their own sand color; first Calla’s parents and then Aric’s poured the sand into the vase before the couple added their own colors in at the end. “We have always been a part of our own family

and this represented both of our fami-lies coming together,” the bride said.

After a beautiful ceremony, the recep-tion began. The toasts, which included her gruff father standing up and getting emotional, a humorous banter between her brother and sister, as well as Aric’s brother, Casey, were a hit. Then the

lights dimmed, and the dance started with people kicking off their shoes and grabbing a partner.

The vows and the reception were the most memorable for Calla. “After five years of dating and being engaged it was nice to finally be at that moment and having it official.”

The couple recently returned from a honeymoon in Hawaii. They decided to wait until colder climates here to fully appreciate the 80 degree weather on the island. It was a place they had never been, different and fun, and they would like to return.

Aric commented on married life, “It took time to sink in that we were married. A couple of weeks after the wedding, we were at the store and I in-troduced her as my wife. It takes getting used to.”

Calla added a tip for people that are preparing to wed this summer, “Not ev-erything is going to work out perfectly, so have back-up plans in place. And if that doesn’t work out, it doesn’t really matter because you are there to cel-ebrate the beginning of your life with somebody that you love. It’s not about the event; it’s about the reason behind the event.”

Carlson couple makes family intricate part of wedding

SubmIttED

Calla Kowatch and Aric Carlson were married May 26, 2012.


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Weddings SIDNEY HERALD SUNDAY, FEB. 24, 2013 7

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Consider two rings, two stylesIt is important to choose your rings

carefully, as you will be wearing them for the rest of your lives. There are two styles currently in vogue for wedding bands: gold and diamonds on the one hand; a multitude of different materials on the other.

For traditional couples, there’s noth-ing better than the mystery and magic of a diamond, the symbol of everlasting love. Shining with a thousand different fl ames, each diamond is unique, and its particular beauty, enshrined in a golden circlet, is the quintessential jewel for married couples.

Diamonds are the preferred stone for engagement rings. Choose a diamond based on its carat-weight, size, color and purity. And choose your jeweler based on the quality, service and guarantee they offer.

Modern couples may prefer a less

traditional ring. There are many pre-cious stones available to suit all tastes. Modern women may prefer a ruby, em-erald or sapphire. The combination of gold and silver has become all the rage in recent years, as have less traditional metals such as platinum.

There are many precious stones available to suit all tastes.

Wedding music is no longer a matter of standard, traditional songs. Today, couples want to personalize the music for their ceremony and reception.

Couples may want to use the services of local singers or musicians, asking them to play particular songs or pieces of music, or they may hire particular artists they admire. They may choose the traditional church-organ-and-singer combination, or put together an ensemble by adding a violin, fl ute, harp or other instrument. The choice of music depends on the atmosphere they want to create.

During the reception meal, they may want to ask the same musicians to play background music, but as the night progresses, catchy music is important to create a festive mood and get people dancing. Inquire in advance whether the hall provides a disc jockey. If not, book early for a band or DJ.

To help you choose the right band or DJ, ask for references and listen to

their tapes, and choose the one that of-fers the best service.

Choosing music from ceremony to reception

The choice of music depends on the atmo-sphere the couple wants to create.

Get married at both home, abroadAre you thinking about exchang-

ing vows on a tropical island far from home? Keep in mind that this idea could create confl ict within more tra-ditional-minded families, making an out-of-country wedding just not worth the trouble it would cause. If you’re fairly independent and you want your wedding to be an event for just the two of you, eloping is a great idea, but it can be possible to have the best of both worlds.

To realize your dream of getting married abroad while avoiding any dis-appointment among friends and family, you could always plan two ceremonies: the fi rst for an intimate wedding at your dream destination and the second with your loved ones, in the form of a reception at home. Alternately, it might also be possible to invite a small group of family and friends to join you at an exotic location. It is up to you to choose the formula that would suit you best.

You might be telling yourself that your wedding is for you and that you should only take into account what you want, but realistically, your wedding is also for friends and family. It is worth-while taking their feelings into consid-eration so that you won’t needlessly hurt or disappoint them. After all, that

would only create an extra source of stress that you really don’t need.

What is most important is that the memories of your wedding be happy ones, without regrets. Your wedding is meant to be a beautiful day, a cel-ebration of your love and your com-mitment. So will you start by buying airline tickets or by writing your guest list?

You could always plan a ceremony away and a reception at home to avoid any dis-appointment among friends and family.


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Have you ever thought about reliving the magic of the wedding ritual with your loved one? In intimate surround-ings or in full pomp and circumstance, such a ceremony is more romantic than formal.

The renewing of vows is the renew-ing of the commitment between two spouses, a reaffirmation of their deeply held love for each other. But it is also an occasion to throw a party and share your happiness with your loved ones. The reception after the ceremony can be warm and friendly, as there will likely be fewer guests than on your wedding day.

Even though some couples don’t choose a significant date for renewing their vows, many seasoned lovebirds opt to do it on a wedding anniversary. In fact, did you know that every wedding anniversary corresponds to a natural element? According to tradition, the groom should offer his wife a gift made from the appropriate material. It is said that this will bring happiness to the couple.

First anniversary: paper Second anniversary: cottonFifth anniversary: wood

10th anniversary: tin15th anniversary: crystal20th anniversary: china25th anniversary: silver30th anniversary: pearl35th anniversary: coral40th anniversary: ruby45th anniversary: sapphire50th anniversary: gold55th anniversary: emerald60th anniversary: diamond65th anniversary: blue sapphire70th anniversary: platinum75th anniversary: diamond and gold80th anniversary: oak

Renewing your love, vows

Renewing your vows is a beautiful way to reaffirm your love despite all the years that have gone by.

Thousands of different styles and models of wedding gowns are available on the market, one more beautiful than the next. From white to cream, from long to short, and lace, pearls and silks: there is certainly no lack of choice. But before you set out on a marathon tour of all the wedding dress boutiques, it is important to get to know your body type so that you can know what style of dress will best suit you.

• Do you have an hourglass shape (shoulders and hips of equal width, with smaller waist)? You could treat yourself to a “mermaid” gown that accentuates your curves. If you dream of a royal wedding, the princess dress is perfect for you, as is a two-piece dress with a bustier. In short, anything that flatters the waistline will emphasize your femi-nine curves.

• For apple or V-shaped figures (shoul-ders broader than the hips), look more for an empire waist or A-line dress which will balance your proportions.

• If your hips are wider than your shoulders, you have a pear or A-shaped figure. Look for an A-line style and avoid a straight or mermaid dress that draws eyes where you don’t want them to be.

• When your shoulders, hips and waist are all of a similar width, you have a

straight or I-shape. Avoid a straight dress, opting for an A-line or princess style or one with a bodice, which will create a more curved effect.

• If you’re petite, look for a simple dress without too many frills. Belts should be avoided, as they will cut your silhouette in two where a lengthening effect would be more desirable.

Choosing dress to suit your body

Thousands of different styles and models of wedding gowns are available on the market.

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Wedding planning: View from groom’s perspectiveEDITOR’S NOTE: Fairview native,

Chantz Conlin, was married in an outdoor ceremony to Natalie Browne. Chantz, good-naturedly, answered ques-tions on the planning and the wedding from his perspective.

By Natlie CoNliN Special to tHe Herald

Why did you decide to have an outdoor wedding ceremony versus a traditional church one?

We originally wanted to have it in our church, but we also wanted to have our black lab be the flower girl and a part of the wedding. Upon first discussion, they foresaw no problems, but then had a meeting, and they said it would not be allowed. Because of that, we made the decision to have it on Natalie’s parents’ property.

Where was your reception held? At the Moose Lodge in Sidney. It was

a great spot for our reception because it was also where my mom had hers when she was married in 1991. We have members of the Moose that are family. The staff was friendly and accommodat-

ing, even though we thought it could potentially be a little small, it worked out perfectly.

Who did you have as your photog-rapher?

My sister, Jorden Cotter. She is an aspiring photographer, and we were trying to keep the financial costs low for the wedding. We asked her to take the pictures and she agreed. We helped her with some of the equipment for the pictures, and she had editing software on her computer. She put all of our pictures on a memory card and gave it back to us. It was good for us in that we didn’t have to hire an expensive profes-sional photographer and she gained the experience.

The stereotype is that women do most of the planning for the wed-ding and the men typically refuse to do any of the work. Chantz shared more on the planning that he did, and the way that it was divided be-tween the couple.

Well, women will most likely want to take more control of it, and it is the nature of men that anything will be

good enough for them. We are not picky. In my case, my fiancé did more, but everything we planned, we discussed together. We came to agreements with what we wanted, and had both of our families helping out.

Was there anything that you “dreamed about” for your wedding day that made it into your plans?

It wasn’t my idea, but I really liked that we had Shea, the dog, in our wed-ding. If there’s something that you are passionate about, or a special person or animal that you would like to in-corporate into the wedding, screw the norm. Deviating from what’s normal is interesting, unique and fun. We also had a ‘wine-box ceremony’ that was differ-ent from the usual sand pouring/unity candle ceremonies. We had a good friend that hand-carved us a box (made from western North Dakota wood) that will be in our lives forever.

My personal touch on the wedding was the music. I think it worked for what we were doing, but ultimately most people put music in the background and don’t pay attention to it. But for me, choosing the right music for the mood

means it accentuates the song and puts meaning and memories behind it, which in turn makes the song sound better and mean that much more to the person.

What did you find most memorable about the wedding?

It was very busy, and stressful. You aren’t able to necessarily stop and relax and enjoy your wedding. My fiancé and I were concerned about being good hosts and making sure everyone was having a good time. We wanted to keep everything organized because we didn’t have a wedding planner, and did every-thing ourselves. So we weren’t able to relax until the dance part of the recep-tion, but even then we still had to keep up with the DJ and the dances. But I think there’s something to be said for a wedding planner so you can sit back and enjoy your wedding. But my most memorable moment would be the way that my wife looked in her wedding dress; that was my most vivid, pictur-esque memory of the day.

So do you regret not hiring a wed-ding planner?

Depending on the costs, no.

Do you have any parting thoughts? Do what you can to make it what you

want, but don’t stress out too much because there will always be something outside of your control. But if you can make compromises and be satisfied with the occasional problems and things that crop up that you may not be happy with, if you can work past it, accept it, and just enjoy yourself, then you can look back on it later and realize those things didn’t matter as much as you thought.

My example would be that we were worried about how the oil would affect our wedding and the weather, and al-though conditions were not ideal, I can still say that it was a perfect day. That’s not only wedding day advice, that’s mar-riage advice.

Submitted

The Conlins were married July 28, 2012.

Weddings SIDNEY HERALD SUNDAY, FEB. 24, 2013 11

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In many people’s minds, a successful wed-ding event often rests on the choice of fl owers. The most beautiful of Mother Nature’s offer-ings, they are essential for setting the tone of the day. The trend in 2012 is toward smaller bou-quets and less imposing fl oral centerpieces on the tables.

Vases are appearing in all shapes, sizes and materials: ceramic, zinc, glass and stoneware, for example. Two timeless favorites, the rose and the orchid, adapt perfect-ly to all these different vases. Just imagine the elegant yet contempo-rary look these fl owers have when arranged in a huge glass vase on a guestbook table or beside an altar.

The trend in bou-quets is turning toward natural simplicity rather than extravagance. White, cream and ivory

fl owers form the base, with lots of greenery to set them off. Branches and leaves matched to different types of fl ow-ers are used to top off a glorious monochrome bouquet.

Regardless of the col-ors, tradition still rules the size of a bouquet. Choose a simple bouquet if your outfi t is fairly ornate. If your gown is

simple, exoticism and creativity can run wild. Round bouquets go well with tapered dresses, and cascading bouquets are perfect for gowns with trains.

Lastly, one small hint to help you avoid a truly outdated effect: don’t try to match the color of the fl owers with the groom’s outfi t or with the brides-maid’s dresses.

Flowers key element to any wedding

White, cream and ivory fl owers form the base of the bou-quet, with lots of greenery to set them off.

Whether your wedding is going to take the traditional or modern and minimalist route, you can honor a young friend, sister, niece or cousin by asking her to be your fl ower girl. If you’re planning on a big wedding party, with several bridesmaids and groomsmen, a fl ower girl is a lovely in-clusion. If you want to keep the pomp to a minimum, having just one little fl ower girl to stand with you is a great strategy to avoid disappointing adult women friends!

THE DRESSThe fl ower girl is usually placed at

the head of the procession and leads the bride down the aisle toward her future husband. Because all eyes will be riveted on this little person, special thought should be given to her outfi t. Flower girl dresses can be found in most department stores and in wed-ding dress boutiques. A frilly and white little ball gown will make your fl ower girl feel like a princess for a day – you can bet that she’ll have a hard time waiting for the big day to fi nally arrive!

You might prefer to let your fl ower girl choose her own outfi t or you may want to provide one that is inspired by your own gown. Whatever the style, be

sure to choose a bouquet for your fl ow-er girl that is a refl ection in miniature of the one you will be holding. Another option is to ask her to carry a basket of fl ower petals, which she will scatter on the fl oor as she walks down the aisle.

Don’t forget the all important fl ower girl

WWW.NATALIAEXCLUSIF.COM

The bride can choose her fl ower girl’s outfi t to refl ect her own gown to create a stun-ning effect during the bridal procession.

http://www.johnsonhardwareandfurniture.com


From the simplest to the most elaborate...We will design the cake of your dreams! Don’t forget us for rolls, croissants, cookies and muffins for your wedding meals. Stop in and see our

expanded departments.

• Bridal bouquets• Corsages• Wristlets• Boutonnieres• Wreaths• Altar arrangements• Table centerpieces• Decoration rentals

“For flowers as unique as you are and service with a smile.”

The best choice of prime rib, roasts, hams and seafood platters available for your wedding reception and rehearsal dinner. Come visit with the experts in our meat department.

Largest wine

selection in N.E.

Montana

For your reception, rehearsal dinner or because you’re too busy to cook, excellent selection of meat and cheese trays, veggie trays, salads and fried chicken in any price range.

Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. every day ~ 203 2nd St. NW, Sidney ~ 482-3737 • Fax: 482-3739

Major Credit Cards Accepted ~ Montana owned and operated XNLV

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Wedding 2013